Refrigerant recovery management system

ABSTRACT

A refrigerant recovery management system includes a first generation unit and a second generation unit. The first generation unit generates first information to send a refrigerant recovered from refrigerant-use equipment to a refrigerant treatment practitioner that conducts refrigerant treatment on the refrigerant. The second generation unit generates second information on the refrigerant treatment, to report the refrigerant treatment to a manager that manages refrigerant recovery.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. National stage application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-236387, filed in Japan onDec. 8, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

A refrigerant recovery management system configured to managerefrigerant recovery.

Background Information

There has been publicly known a refrigerant recovery apparatusconfigured to recover a refrigerant for use in a cold storage apparatus,a refrigeration apparatus, or an air conditioning apparatus. Forexample, JP 2017-72284 A discloses a refrigerant recovery apparatus.

SUMMARY

However, refrigerant recovery is not managed.

A refrigerant recovery management system according to a first aspectincludes a first generation unit and a second generation unit. The firstgeneration unit generates first information for sending a refrigerantrecovered from refrigerant-use equipment to a refrigerant treatmentpractitioner that conducts refrigerant treatment on the refrigerant. Thesecond generation unit generates second information on the refrigeranttreatment, for reporting the refrigerant treatment to a manager thatmanages refrigerant recovery.

A refrigerant recovery management system according to a second aspect isthe refrigerant recovery management system according to the firstaspect, wherein the refrigerant treatment includes at least recycle ofthe refrigerant, destruction of the refrigerant, and storage for thedestruction of the refrigerant.

A refrigerant recovery management system according to a third aspect isthe refrigerant recovery management system according to the first orsecond aspect, wherein each of the first information and the secondinformation contains at least information on an amount of therefrigerant.

A refrigerant recovery management system according to a fourth aspect isthe refrigerant recovery management system according to any of the firstto third aspects, wherein the first information further containsinformation on identification of refrigerant recovery equipment forsending the refrigerant to the refrigerant treatment practitioner, andinformation on a type of the refrigerant.

A refrigerant recovery management system according to a fifth aspect isthe refrigerant recovery management system according to any of the firstto fourth aspects, wherein the first information further containsinformation on identification of a refrigerant recovery practitionerthat sends the recovered refrigerant to the refrigerant treatmentpractitioner.

A refrigerant recovery management system according to a sixth aspect isthe refrigerant recovery management system according to any of the firstto fifth aspects, wherein the second information further containsinformation on the refrigerant treatment practitioner that conducts therefrigerant treatment on the refrigerant.

A refrigerant recovery management system according to a seventh aspectis the refrigerant recovery management system according to any of thefirst to sixth aspects, further including a conformity determinationunit. The conformity determination unit determines conformity betweenthe first information and the second information.

A refrigerant recovery management system according to an eighth aspectis the refrigerant recovery management system according to the seventhaspect, further including a first allocation unit. The first allocationunit allocates a consideration for the refrigerant recovery performedthis time from a consideration for refrigerant recovery accumulated bythe manager, based on a determination by the conformity determinationunit.

A refrigerant recovery management system according to a ninth aspect isthe refrigerant recovery management system according to the eighthaspect, further including a second allocation unit. The secondallocation unit allocates the consideration for the refrigerant recoveryallocated by the first allocation unit, to the refrigerant recoverypractitioner and the refrigerant treatment practitioner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a refrigerantrecovery management system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of configurations of a recovery server anda management server.

FIG. 3 is a table of request data.

FIG. 4 is a table of report data.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a refrigerantrecovery management system according to Modification 1A.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a refrigerantrecovery management system according to Modification 1B.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a refrigerantrecovery management system according to Modification 1C.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a refrigerantrecovery management system according to Modification 1D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) (1) General Configuration

With reference to FIG. 1, a description will be given of a configurationof a refrigerant recovery management system 100. FIG. 1 schematicallyillustrates the configuration of the refrigerant recovery managementsystem 100.

In the present embodiment, the refrigerant recovery management system100 is configured to manage refrigerant recovery in a country or aregion. For example, the region may be a broader region on a prefecturalbasis or may be a narrower region on a municipal basis.

The refrigerant recovery involves recovering a refrigerant fromrefrigerant-use equipment and subjecting the recovered refrigerant torefrigerant treatment. The refrigerant-use equipment refers to equipmentthat uses a refrigerant, such as a cold storage apparatus, arefrigeration apparatus, or an air conditioning apparatus. Therefrigerant treatment includes recycle of a refrigerant, destruction ofa refrigerant, and storage for destruction of a refrigerant. Examples ofthe refrigerant may include, but not limited to, chlorofluorocarbons,hydrofluorocarbons, and next-generation refrigerants.

The country or region that constructs the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 100 has a refrigerant recovery practitioner C, arefrigerant treatment practitioner R, and a manager M. The refrigerantrecovery management system 100 includes a recovery server 10 of therefrigerant recovery practitioner C, a treatment server 20 of therefrigerant treatment practitioner R, a management server 30 of themanager M, and a network connecting these servers to one another.

The recovery server 10, the treatment server 20, and the managementserver 30 are server computers that effect data accumulation, dataprocessing, network relay or network management, and others.

The refrigerant recovery practitioner C is an organization or anindividual that recovers a refrigerant from refrigerant-use equipment ofa user. The refrigerant recovery practitioner C may be, for example, aninstallation company, a facilities supplier, or a service person of amanufacturer. The present embodiment describes a single refrigerantrecovery practitioner C; however, the refrigerant recovery managementsystem 100 may have a plurality of refrigerant recovery practitioners C.

The refrigerant recovery practitioner C recovers a refrigerant fromrefrigerant-use equipment of a user in, for example, disposal,repairing, or installing the refrigerant-use equipment. The refrigerantrecovery practitioner C then fills a tank as refrigerant recoveryequipment with the refrigerant recovered from the user, and sends thetank filled with the recovered refrigerant to the refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R. At this time, the recovery server 10 of the refrigerantrecovery practitioner C transmits request data as first information onrefrigerant treatment, to the treatment server 20 of the refrigeranttreatment practitioner R. The recovery server 10 of the refrigerantrecovery practitioner C also transmits report data as second informationon the refrigerant treatment, to the management server 30 of the managerM. A specific description on the request data and report data will begiven later.

The refrigerant treatment practitioner R is an organization or anindividual that conducts refrigerant treatment on a recoveredrefrigerant. The refrigerant treatment practitioner R conducts at leastone of recycle of a refrigerant, destruction of a refrigerant, orstorage for destruction of a refrigerant. The refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R may be, for example, a company treating industrial waste,a resource recycling company, or a department engaged in refrigeranttreatment in a manufacturer. The present embodiment describes a singlerefrigerant treatment practitioner R; however, the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 100 may have a plurality of refrigerant treatmentpractitioners R.

The refrigerant treatment practitioner R conducts the refrigeranttreatment on the recovered refrigerant sent from the refrigerantrecovery practitioner C. After the refrigerant treatment practitioner Rconducts the refrigerant treatment on the recovered refrigerant sentfrom the refrigerant recovery practitioner C, the treatment server 20 ofthe refrigerant treatment practitioner R transfers the request data asthe first information to the management server 30 of the manager M. Inaddition, the refrigerant treatment practitioner R sends the tank inwhich the refrigerant subjected to the refrigerant treatment was stored(i.e., the empty tank), to the refrigerant recovery practitioner C.

The manager M is an organization or an individual that gives aconsideration for refrigerant recovery in a country or region. Themanager M may be, for example, a government or municipal institution.The manager M accumulates a refrigerant recovery fund. The refrigerantrecovery fund is, for example, a fund to be allocated as a budget everyyear in a country or a region and to be paid as a consideration forrefrigerant recovery. The management server 30 determines conformitybetween the report data transmitted from the refrigerant recoverypractitioner C and the request data transferred from the refrigeranttreatment practitioner R. The management server 30 then calculates aconsideration for refrigerant recovery to be given to each of therefrigerant recovery practitioner C and the refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R, based on a result of the determination.

The refrigerant recovery practitioner C is an owner of the tank. Thatis, the refrigerant recovery practitioner C fills the tank of its ownwith the refrigerant recovered from the user, and sends the tank filledwith the recovered refrigerant to the refrigerant treatment practitionerR. The refrigerant treatment practitioner R conducts refrigeranttreatment on the refrigerant in the tank, and then sends the empty tankback to the refrigerant recovery practitioner. The tank is provided witha tag on which an identification number of the tank (i.e., a tank ID) iswritten down.

In cases where the refrigerant treatment is the recycle of therefrigerant, the refrigerant treatment practitioner R sends the tankfilled with the recycled refrigerant to a refrigerant filler. Therefrigerant filler is an organization or an individual that fillsrefrigerant-use equipment of a user with a recycled refrigerant in acountry or a region. In this case, the refrigerant recovery practitionerC may be the same as the refrigerant filler.

In cases where, for example, there is no recyclable refrigerant, arecycled refrigerant has poor quality, or a recycled refrigerant isexpensive, the refrigerant filler purchases a new refrigerant from arefrigerant dealer, and fills the tank with the purchased refrigerant.The refrigerant dealer is an organization or an individual that importsor sells a new refrigerant.

(2) Specific Configuration

(2-1) Recovery Server, Treatment Server

With reference to FIG. 2, a description will be given of the recoveryserver 10 and the treatment server 30. FIG. 2 schematically illustratesa configuration of the recovery server 10.

The recovery server 10 is a server computer of the refrigerant recoverypractitioner C. The recovery server 10 includes a request generationunit 11 as a first generation unit and a report generation unit 12 as asecond generation unit.

The request generation unit 11 generates request data as firstinformation. The recovery server 10 transmits to the treatment server 20the request data generated by the request generation unit 11.

After refrigerant treatment is conducted based on the request datatransmitted from the recovery server 10, the treatment server 20transfers to the management server 30 the request data transmitted fromthe recovery server 10. The treatment server 20 transfers the requestdata to the management server 30 after the refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R conducts the refrigerant treatment. Therefore, themanagement server 30 that receives the request data from the treatmentserver 20 sets a flag indicating completion of the refrigerant treatmentbased on the request data. As described above, the request datatransmitted from the recovery server 10 to the treatment server 20 istransferred as it is from the treatment server 20 to the managementserver 30. Alternatively, before the transfer of the request data fromthe treatment server 20 to the management server 30, the treatmentserver 20 may add information indicating the completion of therefrigerant treatment to the request data and transfer the request datato the management server 30.

The report generation unit 12 of the recovery server 10 generates reportdata. The recovery server 10 transmits to the management server 30 thereport data generated by the report generation unit 12.

(2-2) Management Server

With reference to FIG. 2, a description will be given of a configurationof the management server 30. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates theconfiguration of the management server 30.

The management server 30 is a server computer of the manager M. Themanagement server 30 includes a conformity determination unit 31, a fundallocation unit 32 as a first allocation unit, and a considerationallocation unit 33 as a second allocation unit.

The conformity determination unit 31 determines conformity between thereport data transmitted from the recovery server 10 and the request datatransferred from the treatment server 20. For example, from a comparisonbetween the report data and the request data, the conformitydetermination unit 31 determines whether a refrigerant recoverypractitioner ID of a refrigerant recovery practitioner C in the requestdata agrees with a refrigerant recovery practitioner ID of therefrigerant recovery practitioner C that transmitted the report data.The conformity determination unit 31 also determines whether arefrigerant treatment practitioner ID of the refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R that transferred the request data agrees with arefrigerant treatment practitioner ID of a refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R in the report data. The conformity determination unit 31also determines whether a refrigerant type in the report data agreeswith a refrigerant type in the request data. The conformitydetermination unit 31 also determines whether a weight of refrigerant inthe report data agrees with a weight of refrigerant in the request data.

The fund allocation unit 32 allocates a consideration for therefrigerant recovery performed this time from the refrigerant recoveryfund of the manager M, based on the determination by the conformitydetermination unit 31. For example, when the conformity determinationunit 31 determines that the contents of the report data agree with thecontents of the request data, the fund allocation unit 32 calculates aratio of an amount of the refrigerant recovered this time to targetamounts of refrigerants to be recovered in this year, and sets the ratioof the refrigerant recovery fund at a consideration for the refrigerantrecovery performed this time. In cases where the manager M is, forexample, a government or municipal institution, the refrigerant recoveryfund of the manager M corresponds to a grant from the government or afund for promoting refrigerant recovery.

The consideration allocation unit 33 allocates the consideration for therefrigerant recovery performed this time, the consideration beingallocated by the fund allocation unit 32, to a consideration to be givento the refrigerant recovery practitioner C and a consideration to begiven to the refrigerant treatment practitioner R. A ratio between theconsideration to be given to the refrigerant recovery practitioner C andthe consideration to be given to the refrigerant treatment practitionerR may be fixed depending on a country or a region or may differdepending on a combination between the refrigerant recovery practitionerC and the refrigerant treatment practitioner R.

(2-3) Request Data

With reference to FIG. 3, a description will be given of the requestdata. FIG. 3 illustrates the request data in the form of a table.

The request data as the first information is data for sending therefrigerant recovered from the refrigerant-use equipment by therefrigerant recovery practitioner C, from the refrigerant recoverypractitioner C to the refrigerant treatment practitioner R. After therefrigerant recovery, the refrigerant recovery practitioner C inputs therequest data to the recovery server 10. Specifically, a data inputprogram executable by the recovery server 10 presents, for example, ascreen for selecting a refrigerant type, a screen for entering anumerical value of a weight of refrigerant, a screen for selecting atank ID, and a screen for selecting a recovery date and time, to workersin the refrigerant recovery practitioner C. The request data illustratedin FIG. 3 contains the details thus input and an ID of the person whoinputted the details (e.g., the refrigerant recovery practitioner ID)associated with the details. The recovery server 10 transmits therequest data to the treatment server 20 in the form of electronic data.The refrigerant treatment practitioner R conducts refrigerant treatmentbased on the request data thus transmitted to the treatment server 20.

The request data contains, as to a tank filled with a refrigerant to besubjected to refrigerant treatment, a type of the refrigerant, a weight(unit: kg) of the refrigerant as information on an amount of therefrigerant, an identification number of the tank (i.e., a tank ID) asinformation on identification of refrigerant recovery equipment, anactual date and time of refrigerant recovery, and an identificationnumber of a refrigerant recovery practitioner C (i.e., a refrigerantrecovery practitioner ID) as information on identification of therefrigerant recovery practitioner C.

Preferably, the request data is transmitted from the recovery server 10to the treatment server 20 before the recovered refrigerant is actuallysent to the refrigerant treatment practitioner R. In addition, therequest data may be transmitted from the recovery server 10 to thetreatment server 20 for each request (for each tank filled with arecovered refrigerant). Alternatively, the request data may betransmitted from the recovery server 10 to the treatment server 20 foreach day.

(2-4) Report Data

With reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of the reportdata. FIG. 4 illustrates the report data in the form of a table.

The report data as the second information is data concerning refrigeranttreatment, for reporting the refrigerant treatment to the manager M. Therecovery server 10 transmits the report data to the management server 30in the form of electronic data. The manager M pays for the refrigerantrecovery from the refrigerant recovery fund, based on the report data.

The report data contains, as to a refrigerant for which the refrigerantrecovery practitioner C issued a request of refrigerant treatment to therefrigerant treatment practitioner R, a type of the refrigerant, aweight (unit: kg) of the refrigerant as information on an amount of therefrigerant, a treatment method that is one of recycle of therefrigerant, destruction of the refrigerant, and storage for thedestruction of the refrigerant, a date and time of the refrigeranttreatment, and an identification number of a refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R (i.e., a refrigerant treatment practitioner ID) asinformation on identification of a refrigerant treatment practitioner Rthat conducted the refrigerant treatment. The report data may begenerated by the refrigerant recovery practitioner C after therefrigerant treatment practitioner R conducts the refrigerant treatment.Alternatively, the report data may be generated at the time when therefrigerant recovery practitioner C issues the request of therefrigerant treatment to the refrigerant treatment practitioner R.

Preferably, the transmission of the report data from the recovery server10 to the management server 30 and the transmission of the request datafrom the recovery server 10 to the treatment server 20 are made atsubstantially the same time. In addition, the report data may betransmitted from the recovery server 10 to the management server 30 foreach request (for each tank filled with a recovered refrigerant).Alternatively, the report data may be transmitted from the recoveryserver 10 to the management server 30 for each day.

(3) Advantageous Effects

With the configuration described above, the refrigerant recoverypractitioner C receives a consideration for a recovered refrigerant forwhich the refrigerant recovery practitioner C issued a request ofrefrigerant treatment. At the same time, the refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R also receives a consideration for the recoveredrefrigerant on which the refrigerant treatment practitioner R conductedthe refrigerant treatment. The manager M pays for only a recoveredrefrigerant on which refrigerant treatment was actually conducted.

This configuration thus enables management of refrigerant recoveryincluding refrigerant treatment in a country or a region, avoidance ofthe destruction of ozone, and reduction in adverse effects leading toglobal warming.

(4) Features

(4-1)

There has been publicly known a refrigerant recovery apparatusconfigured to recover a refrigerant for use in a cold storage apparatus,a refrigeration apparatus, or an air conditioning apparatus. However,refrigerant recovery is not managed.

A refrigerant recovery management system 100 includes a requestgeneration unit 11 and a report generation unit 12. The requestgeneration unit 11 generates request data for sending a refrigerantrecovered from refrigerant-use equipment to a refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R that conducts refrigerant treatment on the refrigerant.The report generation unit 12 generates report data on the refrigeranttreatment, for reporting the refrigerant treatment to a manager M thatmanages refrigerant recovery.

This configuration thus enables management of refrigerant recovery,avoidance of the destruction of ozone layer, and reduction in adverseeffects leading to global warming.

(4-2)

In the refrigerant recovery management system 100, the refrigeranttreatment includes at least recycle of the refrigerant, destruction ofthe refrigerant, and storage for the destruction of the refrigerant.

(4-3)

In the refrigerant recovery management system 100, each of the requestdata and the report data contains at least information on an amount ofthe refrigerant.

(4-4)

In the refrigerant recovery management system 100, the request datafurther contains information on identification of refrigerant recoveryequipment (e.g., a tank) for sending the refrigerant to the refrigeranttreatment practitioner R, and information on a type of the refrigerant.

(4-5)

In the refrigerant recovery management system 100, the request datafurther contains information on identification of a refrigerant recoverypractitioner C that sends the recovered refrigerant to the refrigeranttreatment practitioner R.

(4-6)

In the refrigerant recovery management system 100, the report datafurther contains information on the refrigerant treatment practitioner Rthat conducts the refrigerant treatment on the refrigerant.

(4-7)

The refrigerant recovery management system 100 further includes aconformity determination unit 31. The conformity determination unit 31determines conformity between the request data and the report data.

(4-8)

The refrigerant recovery management system 100 further includes a fundallocation unit 32. The fund allocation unit 32 reports thedetermination by the conformity determination unit 31 to the manager M,and allocates a consideration for the refrigerant recovery performedthis time from a consideration for refrigerant recovery accumulated bythe manager M, based on the determination.

(4-9)

The refrigerant recovery management system 100 further includes aconsideration allocation unit 33. The consideration allocation unit 33allocates the consideration for the refrigerant recovery allocated bythe fund allocation unit 32, to the refrigerant recovery practitioner Cand the refrigerant treatment practitioner R.

(5) Modifications

(5-1) Modification 1A

With reference to FIG. 5, a description will be given of a refrigerantrecovery management system 200 according to Modification 1A. FIG. 5schematically illustrates a configuration of the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 200.

A country or a region that constructs the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 200 has a refrigerant recovery practitioner C, arefrigerant treatment practitioner R, and a manager M. The roles of therefrigerant recovery practitioner C, refrigerant treatment practitionerR, and manager M are similar to those described in the foregoingembodiment; therefore, the description thereof will not be given here.In addition, a flow of a tank filled with a recovered refrigerant and aflow of a consideration are also similar to those described in theforegoing embodiment, therefore, the description thereof will not begiven here.

The refrigerant recovery management system 200 includes only a recoveryserver 210 of the refrigerant recovery practitioner C. The recoveryserver 210 effects data accumulation, data processing, network relay ornetwork management, and others. The recovery server 210 is connected toa management server 230 via a network.

The recovery server 210 includes a request generation unit 211 as afirst generation unit, a report generation unit 212 as a secondgeneration unit, a conformity determination unit 213, a fund allocationunit 214 as a first allocation unit, and a consideration allocation unit215 as a second allocation unit. The recovery server 210 has the requestgeneration unit 211 and the report generation unit 212, similarly tothose described in the foregoing embodiment; therefore, the descriptionthereof will not be given here.

The conformity determination unit 213 determines conformity betweenrequest data as first information generated by the request generationunit 211 and report data as second information generated by the reportgeneration unit 212.

The fund allocation unit 214 allocates a consideration for a refrigerantrecovery performed this time, from refrigerant recovery fund data asinformation on a refrigerant recovery fund transmitted from themanagement server 230, based on the determination by the conformitydetermination unit 213.

The consideration allocation unit 215 allocates the consideration forthe refrigerant recovery performed this time, the consideration beingallocated by the fund allocation unit 214, to a consideration to begiven to the refrigerant recovery practitioner C and a consideration tobe given to the refrigerant treatment practitioner R. Consideration dataas information on allocation of a consideration is transmitted to themanagement server 230.

According to this configuration, it is possible to embody therefrigerant recovery management system 200 by only the recovery server210 of the refrigerant recovery practitioner C.

(5-2) Modification 1B

With reference to FIG. 6, a description will be given of a refrigerantrecovery management system 300 according to Modification 1B. FIG. 6schematically illustrates a configuration of the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 300.

A country or a region that constructs the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 300 has a refrigerant recovery practitioner C, arefrigerant treatment practitioner R, and a manager M. The roles of therefrigerant recovery practitioner C, refrigerant treatment practitionerR, and manager M are similar to those described in the foregoingembodiment; therefore, the description thereof will not be given here.In addition, a flow of a tank filled with a recovered refrigerant and aflow of a consideration are also similar to those described in theforegoing embodiment, therefore, the description thereof will not begiven here.

The refrigerant recovery management system 300 includes only a treatmentserver 320 of the refrigerant treatment practitioner R. The treatmentserver 320 effects data accumulation, data processing, network relay ornetwork management, and others. The treatment server 320 is connected toa recovery server 310 and a management server 330 via a network.

The treatment server 320 includes a request generation unit 321 as afirst generation unit, a report generation unit 322 as a secondgeneration unit, a conformity determination unit 323, a fund allocationunit 324 as a first allocation unit, and a consideration allocation unit325 as a second allocation unit.

The request generation unit 321 generates request data as firstinformation based on recovery data transmitted from the recovery server310. The recovery data contains items contained in the request datadescribed in the foregoing embodiment.

The report generation unit 322 generates report data as secondinformation based on the recovery data transmitted from the recoveryserver 310. The treatment server 320 transmits the report data thusgenerated to the management server 330.

The conformity determination unit 323 determines conformity between therequest data generated by the request generation unit 321 and the reportdata generated by the report generation unit 322.

The fund allocation unit 324 allocates a consideration for a refrigerantrecovery performed this time, from refrigerant recovery fund data asinformation on a refrigerant recovery fund transmitted from themanagement server 330, based on the determination by the conformitydetermination unit 323.

The consideration allocation unit 325 allocates the consideration forthe refrigerant recovery performed this time, the consideration beingallocated by the fund allocation unit 324, to a consideration to begiven to the refrigerant recovery practitioner C and a consideration tobe given to the refrigerant treatment practitioner R. Consideration dataas information on allocation of a consideration is transmitted to themanagement server 330.

According to this configuration, it is possible to embody therefrigerant recovery management system 300 by only the treatment server320 of the refrigerant treatment practitioner R.

(5-3) Modification 1C

With reference to FIG. 7, a description will be given of a refrigerantrecovery management system 400 according to Modification 1C. FIG. 7schematically illustrates a configuration of the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 400.

A country or a region that constructs the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 400 has a refrigerant recovery practitioner C, arefrigerant treatment practitioner R, and a manager M. The roles of therefrigerant recovery practitioner C, refrigerant treatment practitionerR, and manager M are similar to those described in the foregoingembodiment; therefore, the description thereof will not be given here.In addition, a flow of a tank filled with a recovered refrigerant and aflow of a consideration are also similar to those described in theforegoing embodiment; therefore, the description thereof will not begiven here.

The refrigerant recovery management system 400 includes only amanagement server 430 of the manager M. The management server 430effects data accumulation, data processing, network relay or networkmanagement, and others. The management server 430 is connected to arecovery server 410 and a treatment server 420 via a network.

The management server 430 includes a request generation unit 431 as afirst generation unit, a report generation unit 432 as a secondgeneration unit, a conformity determination unit 433, a fund allocationunit 434 as a first allocation unit, and a consideration allocation unit435 as a second allocation unit. The management server 430 has theconformity determination unit 433, the fund allocation unit 434, and theconsideration allocation unit 435, similarly to those described in theforegoing embodiment; therefore, the description thereof will not begiven here.

The request generation unit 431 generates request data as firstinformation based on recovery data transmitted from the recovery server410. The recovery data contains items contained in the request datadescribed in the foregoing embodiment.

The report generation unit 432 generates report data as secondinformation based on the recovery data transmitted from the recoveryserver 410.

The treatment server 420 transmits treatment data to the managementserver 430. The treatment data contains items contained in the requestdata transferred from the treatment server 20 to the management server30 after the refrigerant treatment in the foregoing embodiment.

According to this configuration, it is possible to embody therefrigerant recovery management system 400 by only the management server430 of the manager M.

(5-4) Modification 1D

With reference to FIG. 8, a description will be given of a refrigerantrecovery management system 500 according to Modification 1D. FIG. 8schematically illustrates a configuration of the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 500.

A country or a region that constructs the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 500 has a refrigerant recovery practitioner C, arefrigerant treatment practitioner R, a manager M, and a superintendentP. The roles of the refrigerant recovery practitioner C, refrigeranttreatment practitioner R, and manager M are similar to those describedin the foregoing embodiment; therefore, the description thereof will notbe given here. In addition, a flow of a tank filled with a recoveredrefrigerant and a flow of a consideration are also similar to thosedescribed in the foregoing embodiment; therefore, the descriptionthereof will not be given here.

The superintendent P is an organization or an individual thatsuperintends the refrigerant recovery practitioner C, the refrigeranttreatment practitioner R, and the manager M. The superintendent P maybe, for example, a government or municipal institution. Thesuperintendent P has a superintendence server 540.

The refrigerant recovery management system 500 includes only thesuperintendence server 540 of the superintendent P. The superintendenceserver 540 effects data accumulation, data processing, network relay ornetwork management, and others. The superintendence server 540 isconnected to a recovery server 510, a treatment server 520, and amanagement server 530 via a network.

The superintendence server 540 includes a request generation unit 541 asa first generation unit, a report generation unit 542 as a secondgeneration unit, a conformity determination unit 543, a fund allocationunit 544 as a first allocation unit, and a consideration allocation unit545 as a second allocation unit.

The request generation unit 541 generates request data as firstinformation based on recovery data transmitted from the recovery server510. The recovery data contains items contained in the request datadescribed in the foregoing embodiment. The superintendence server 540transmits the request data thus generated to the treatment server 520.

The report generation unit 542 generates report data as secondinformation based on the recovery data transmitted from the recoveryserver 510. The superintendence server 540 transmits the report datathus generated to the management server 530.

The conformity determination unit 543 determines conformity between therequest data generated by the request generation unit 541 and the reportdata generated by the report generation unit 542.

The fund allocation unit 544 allocates a consideration for a refrigerantrecovery performed this time, from refrigerant recovery fund data asinformation on a refrigerant recovery fund transmitted from themanagement server 530, based on the determination by the conformitydetermination unit 543.

The consideration allocation unit 545 allocates the consideration forthe refrigerant recovery performed this time, the consideration beingallocated by the fund allocation unit 544, to a consideration to begiven to the refrigerant recovery practitioner C and a consideration tobe given to the refrigerant treatment practitioner R. Consideration dataas information on allocation of a consideration is transmitted to themanagement server 530.

According to this configuration, it is possible to embody therefrigerant recovery management system 500 by using the server differentfrom the recovery server 510, the treatment server 520, and themanagement server 530.

(5-5) Other Modifications

In the foregoing embodiment and Modifications 1A to 1D, the refrigerantrecovery practitioner C is an owner of a tank. Alternatively, therefrigerant treatment practitioner R may be an owner of a tank. In thiscase, the refrigerant treatment practitioner R lends an empty tank forrefrigerant recovery to the refrigerant recovery practitioner C. Therefrigerant treatment practitioner R then receives from the refrigerantrecovery practitioner C the tank filled with a refrigerant recoveredfrom refrigerant-use equipment of a user. In addition, the refrigeranttreatment practitioner R lends a tank filled with a recycled refrigerantto a refrigerant filler. The refrigerant treatment practitioner R thenreceives from the refrigerant filler the tank that is empty since therecycled refrigerant is fed to refrigerant-use equipment of a user. Alsoin this case, the refrigerant recovery practitioner C may be the same asthe refrigerant filler.

In the foregoing embodiment and Modifications 1A to 1D, a refrigerantrecovery fund is allocated as a budget every year in a country or aregion. Alternatively, the manager M may collect a refrigerant recoveryfund from the refrigerant dealer.

In the foregoing embodiment and Modifications 1A to 1D, the servers areconnected to one another via the network to exchange data with oneanother. Alternatively, one of the servers may access a different one ofthe servers. For example, the refrigerant recovery management system 100according to the foregoing embodiment may have a configuration in whichthe refrigerant recovery practitioner C is capable of accessing thetreatment server 20 or the management server 30.

In the foregoing embodiment and Modifications 1A to 1D, the manager Mgives a consideration to each of the refrigerant recovery practitioner Cand the refrigerant treatment practitioner R. Alternatively, the managerM may give to the refrigerant recovery practitioner C a considerationincluding a consideration to be given to the refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R and, thereafter, the refrigerant recovery practitioner Cmay give the consideration to the refrigerant treatment practitioner R.

In the foregoing embodiment and Modifications 1A to 1D, each of therequest generation unit and the report generation unit generateselectronic data. Alternatively, each of the request generation unit andthe report generation unit may be configured to create a paper documentsuch as a slip of paper. For example, the refrigerant recoverymanagement system 100 according to the foregoing embodiment may have aconfiguration in which the request generation unit 11 generates arequest slip, and the refrigerant recovery practitioner C sends a tankfilled with a recovered refrigerant to the refrigerant treatmentpractitioner R with the request slip attached to the tank.

The foregoing description concerns embodiments of the disclosure. Itwill be understood that numerous modifications and variations may bemade without departing from the gist and scope of the disclosure in theappended claims.

The present invention is widely applicable to refrigerant recoverymanagement systems.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerant recovery management systemcomprising: a display; and at least one computer that executes a datainput program to present a screen on the display, the screen beingconfigured for a user to input at least a refrigerant type and a weightof a refrigerant that has been recovered from refrigerant use equipmentand is to be sent to a refrigerant treatment practitioner that conductsa refrigerant treatment on the refrigerant, the at least one computerbeing configured to: generate request data for sending the refrigerantto the refrigerant treatment practitioner, the request data includinginformation regarding the refrigerant type and information regarding theweight of the refrigerant generate report data regarding the refrigeranttreatment for reporting the refrigerant treatment to a manager thatmanages refrigerant recovery, the report data including informationregarding the refrigerant type and information regarding the weight ofthe refrigerant, and determine a conformity between the request data andthe report data by determining whether the information regarding therefrigerant weight included in the request data agrees with theinformation regarding the refrigerant weight included in the report dataand determining whether the information regarding the refrigerant typeincluded in the request data agrees with the information regarding therefrigerant type included in the report data.
 2. The refrigerantrecovery management system according to claim 1, wherein the refrigeranttreatment includes at least recycling the refrigerant, destruction ofthe refrigerant, and storage for the destruction of the refrigerant. 3.The refrigerant recovery management system according to claim 1, whereineach of the request data and the report data further includesinformation regarding an amount of the refrigerant.
 4. The refrigerantrecovery management system according to claim 1, wherein the requestdata further contains information regarding identification ofrefrigerant recovery equipment for sending the refrigerant to therefrigerant treatment practitioner.
 5. The refrigerant recoverymanagement system according to claim 1, wherein the request data furthercontains information regarding identification of a refrigerant recoverypractitioner that sends the recovered refrigerant to the refrigeranttreatment practitioner.
 6. The refrigerant recovery management systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the report data further containsinformation regarding the refrigerant treatment practitioner.
 7. Therefrigerant recovery management system according to claim 1, wherein theat least one computer is further configured to perform an allocation ofa consideration for the refrigerant recovery performed based on theconformity, the allocation being taken from a consideration forrefrigerant recovery accumulated by the manager.
 8. The refrigerantrecovery management system according to claim 7, wherein the at leastone computer is further configured to allocate the consideration for therefrigerant recovery performed to the refrigerant recovery practitionerand the refrigerant treatment practitioner.
 9. The refrigerant recoverymanagement system according to claim 2, wherein each of the request dataand the report data further includes information regarding an amount ofthe refrigerant.
 10. The refrigerant recovery management systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the request data further containsinformation regarding identification of refrigerant recovery equipmentfor sending the refrigerant to the refrigerant treatment practitioner.11. The refrigerant recovery management system according to claim 2,wherein the request data further contains information regardingidentification of a refrigerant recovery practitioner that sends therecovered refrigerant to the refrigerant treatment practitioner.
 12. Therefrigerant recovery management system according to claim 2, wherein thereport data further contains information regarding the refrigeranttreatment practitioner.
 13. The refrigerant recovery management systemaccording to claim 3, wherein the request data further containsinformation regarding identification of refrigerant recovery equipmentfor sending the refrigerant to the refrigerant treatment practitioner.14. The refrigerant recovery management system according to claim 3,wherein the request data further contains information regardingidentification of a refrigerant recovery practitioner that sends therecovered refrigerant to the refrigerant treatment practitioner.
 15. Therefrigerant recovery management system according to claim 3, wherein thereport data further contains information regarding the refrigeranttreatment practitioner.
 16. The refrigerant recovery management systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the request data further containsinformation regarding identification of a refrigerant recoverypractitioner that sends the recovered refrigerant to the refrigeranttreatment practitioner.
 17. The refrigerant recovery management systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the report data further containsinformation regarding the refrigerant treatment practitioner.
 18. Therefrigerant recovery management system according to claim 5, wherein thereport data further contains information regarding the refrigeranttreatment practitioner.